A/N: I'm hoping that the whole Jen/Pacey friendship moment pulled over well. I'm planning on having another one later on, not so soft hearted though but considering all that Pacey and Jen have been through since they first met each other I thought it would be a good idea. Anyway, I think Gale's wedding will be in this chapter. I don't know how many chapters are left, but I'm thinking on having a sequel, or two, but it depends on whether or not people are going to read it, especially after the show ends on...uh...today. Anyway, let me know what you think about the whole sequel idea because I have an idea for about four other stories that could follow this but I don't want to write them if no one is going to read them. Anyway, I'll get on with this story before I get ahead of myself.
Chapter 8
The last light of the day licked at the creek as the sun slid down under the horizon just as Dawson Leery arrived at the Potter's B and B. Dawson stared at the Bed and Breakfast unsure of whether to enter the house or to go back to his mother's pre-wedding rants. He had occurred to him that ever since he had returned to Capeside he had been over here more than ever before. It was almost ironic.
Taking a step towards the B and B, Dawson could hear the quiet rumble of voices from inside. He strained to hear and finally recognized them as belonging to Pacey Witter, Jen Lindley and Grams. There tone was hushed and from what he could here they sounded very grave. After a moment Dawson decided it was better to intrude and leave them to their discussion. He turned and headed back towards his own house and caught sight of a radiant Joey Potter returning home. Her hair had been swept back in a pony tail since that morning and she carried a small carton of cookie dough ice cream that she was eating with a spoon. She stopped as she realized she was being watched. "Leaving so soon?" Joey questioned, "By the looks of it you just got here."
"Well, Pacey is over and seems to be having a serious talk with Jen and Grams," Dawson mentioned, "I didn't want to interrupt."
"Same here," Joey sighed taking a seat on one of the wooden chairs nearby, "They've been in there for hours."
"Any idea what's happening?" Dawson enquired.
"No," Joey shook her head, "But it doesn't sound good. Last night when Pacey dropped us off he held Jen back and when she came in with him later she seemed pretty upset."
"Think anything is happening between those two?" Dawson considered. Joey glanced towards the house, a look that Dawson did not recognize crossed her features and she shook her head profusely. "Just setting out all the options," Dawson added in for Joey's sake, "I don't think they would sound so..."
"So hopeless?" Joey offered, "It gives me shivers. They're talking like it's the end of the world as we know it."
"For all we know it is," Dawson put in. They sat quietly after that, quietly listening to the sounds of the oncoming night, the whispers from inside hardly audible in the silence of the night.
Finally, as the first star appeared in the sky and Bessie returned with Alexander from shopping Dawson excused himself to return to the distressed bride just as Pacey Witter exited the house hardly acknowledging the presence of either of his childhood friends. Both noted that he seemed upset and when Joey entered the house, alone, she saw the same looks on both the faces of Grams and Jen. Joey wanted to say something to comfort them, but she didn't know how. Instead she headed off to the kitchen to offer her help in any way to Bodie and Bessie who were preparing supper for the guests.
Pacey Witter had no wish to return to the restaurant that night. Instead he sat quietly on the front porch of the house he had once shared with his older sister Gretchen Witter. He was thankful that both he and Gretchen had decided to keep the house rather than sell just in case either of them ever needed a place to stay. Although it was under Gretchen's name both paid their share when in came to paying taxes on the house.
Tonight the only thing Pacey could think about was Jen Lindley, which was a change. Usually Joey Potter occupied his every thought, but tonight such things were pushed to the back of his mind as he stared at the stars. Jen was sick. He had spent a good portion of his day with Jen, discussing her illness and what were the odds that she could beat this thing and live to the ripe old age just as Grams. Unless they found Jen a perfect match for a heart before she got terrible ill, the odds were against her. Pacey felt sick. Jen was still young. Only twenty five and there was Madison to think of too. He couldn't imagine what life would be like without being able to seem Jen every week or so, without talking to her frequently. He couldn't imagine what it would be like for Jack or Grams and he really didn't want to.
No longer wanting to think of the horrible possibilities of things to come Pacey's mind shifted to the beautiful Joey Potter, and how much he loved being able to see her again. Tomorrow he would be able to escort her to the wedding, dance with her, hold her in his arms again and Pacey knew that it could also be the last time he got to do so. He had a feeling that Joey would finally choose between him and Dawson this weekend and as much as he hoped he chose her he couldn't deny that she and Dawson had one been 'soul mates'.
Getting up off of his chair Pacey headed inside and went straight to his room. Lifting up a loose floorboard Pacey pulled out a velvet box. It was slightly dusty and he rubbed it against his pants and then plucked the clumps of dust off. It was the first big purchase he had made after paying Dawson back the rest of the money he owed him. Slowly he lifted the lid and revealed a beautiful Sapphire ring embedded in tiny diamonds. It was gaunty or showy, it was perfect, simple. Pacey sighed heavily and stared at the ring, petting in gently with his thumb. He hadn't had any specific reason to buy the ring, but he remembered a day long ago when he and Joey had entered the store where he bought it and she had just stared at this ring. One way or another, this ring would make it onto Joey's hand, even if it was not as an engagement ring. This ring was Joey's ring and Pacey could never place it upon any other woman's finger.
Pacey shut the velvet box and this time slid it into the pocket of the suit he planned on wearing the following night. Staring out the window a minute looking out at the stars Pacey stripped to his boxers and climbed into bed. He was tired but until the moment he fell asleep his gaze never left the window, or the stars.
They were just as she remembered them. None of them seemed to have changed since the nights she and Pacey spent together staring up at them. Everything else seemed to have changed, adapted to the times be it a new piece of furniture or a paint job, but the stars remained exactly as she remembered them. She closed her eyes and saw them then, the same but surrounded by the ocean like they had been on her summer on True Love. No matter where she went Joey always looked to the stars when she could, but there was no denying it. They were clearer away from the city. That was probably one of the cons of New York, that she couldn't see them clearly enough.
Joey shared something special with both Dawson and Pacey. With Dawson it was their night in his bedroom watching movies and discussing Spielberg. The stars, the boat and the ocean were hers and Pacey's. Her transition from being a kid watching movies with her best friends and the woman that she was now was defined by the summer she ran away with Pacey Witter. It was where it all started. Jen had disrupted their lives in Capeside sending them all into motion but her falling in love with Pacey had triggered her beginning to grow up, pull away from childhood routines and give in to life. Live. She always had Pacey to thank for that.
Joey sat crossed legged on a chair on the rap around porch. The house was sleeping but Joey couldn't seem to join it. She was kept awake by some jovial burst of energy and had found herself sitting on the porch staring at the stars and as always remembering. In mere hours she would be throwing herself together and sitting out here, once again, waiting for her escort to Gale Leery's wedding, Pacey Witter.
A sudden urge to get out of the house came across her and she got up and headed outside. She didn't want to go anywhere where she would be hoarded by memories reminding her that she would have to choose between the two loves of her life. Instead she ran into the house once more and grabbed Bodies keys to the truck and headed out. She drove into the darkness not sure of what exactly she was doing or where she was going. The sudden ringing of her telephone interrupted the silence but Joey reached over and shut it off. Whether it was work or just some wrong number she didn't care. She just wanted to drive and forget for a while.
Light poured through the house and Jen Lindley pulled herself out of bed as she heard Madison wailing from outside the room. This morning she was alone. Pacey had gone home after their talk and Grams into her own room even later on. Surprisingly Madison hadn't crawled into bed in the middle of the night, but Jen could tell that he peaceful night's sleep would be repaid this morning by the endless time it would take to get Madison and herself ready.
Jen slipped out of the room and into the kitchen where she scooped her daughter off the floor and rocked her in one arm while searching for breakfast for the both of them. A fully-awake Bessie poked her head in and greeted Jen. "Good morning," Bessie nodded pleasantly, "How about I take Madison and you get your two sleepy head friend up? Careful of the grump, I have a feeling Joe was up late last night."
"Sure," Jen nodded handing Madison over to Bessie, "Don't give her too much sugar. The last thing I need is her getting hyper and running off all over the place today." Bessie smiled understandingly as she turned to Madison and started talking to her and Jen headed to Andie's room first.
Andie was tangled in her sheets and her blonde hair flying all over the place as Jen cautiously approached the bed. It was a well known fact that Andie McPhee should not be startled when she was sleeping. Jen chewed her lip thoughtfully as she lightly touched Andie on her shoulder and whispered, "Andie. Wake-up sweetie."
"Huh?" Andie grumbled from her pillow. From under her thin blonde hair Jen caught sight of Andie's half-open eyes.
"Morning," Jen smiled, "You better get up. We've got a wedding to get ready for." Andie sat up in bed quickly.
"Please, please, don't tell me I over slept," Andie begged. Jen laughed and shook her head.
"Don't worry," Jen comforted, "You have plenty of time to get ready. I got to go get Joey up. Wish me luck."
"Luck!" Andie hollered as Jen exited the room.
Entering Joey's room the first thing Jen realized was that her curtains had been pulled closed and hardly any light was able to get in. Jen pulled the door open just enough for her to enter and flicked open the light. Surprisingly the light was enough to wake Joey up who rolled over and squinted at Jen. "What's going on?" she mumbled groggily.
"Well, we're all getting up to get ready for some wedding," Jen shrugged. Joey jolted up just as quickly as Andie had.
"Oh god!" she exclaimed jumping out of bed, "I'm late! Am I late?"
"Calm down." Jen laughed, "You and Andie are more alike than you think. You're not late."
"Good," Joey breathed, relieved, "I hardly got sleep last night."
"So I heard," Jen sat down on the end of Joey's bed and watched her friend pull her curtains back, "Couldn't sleep?"
Joey nodded, "Just thinking. I ended up driving all through Capeside before I was tired. I just needed to get away from the memories."
"Weren't thinking of skipping town were you?" Jen questioned.
"That'd be stupid wouldn't it?" Joey mused, "I'm always run away right before I need to make an important life changing experience."
"Can I give you one last piece of advice before I leave and get changed?" Jen wondered and Joey remained silent so she continued, "Don't be afraid of hurting either of them. They're big boys Joe. They can take care of themselves." Joey smiled appreciatively at Jen as she walked out of the room.
Jack McPhee had been up at dawn. He was nervous to say the least. This was going to be the first event that he was going to go to with Doug and this time they were not going to hide that they were together. Ever since they had met Doug had kept the secret that he was gay to everyone around him and finally he had admitted it to Jack and he had helped him through it, eventually they were in love. It was all a blur to Jack. He remembered clearly Pacey's face when he found them kissing. It had been priceless.
Adjusting his tie Jack McPhee stepped out of the house he shared with he had lived in when he first arrived in Capeside and was immediately met by his date, Doug, who looked just as nervous as he felt. This was Doug's first public date as a gay man in Capeside. Jack remembered clearly what that felt like. They still had plenty of time before the wedding and they planned on stopping by the B and B to check on the women who Jack knew were probably in a frenzy to get dressed and ready. Grabbing on to Doug's hand Jack felt the tension in Doug as they headed towards his car.
Joey Potter clipped her hair neatly in the back her hair was perfect, in place. She smiled in the mirror at herself in her dress all made up for the wedding. There were very few occasions where Joey dressed up and felt special, this was certainly one of them. There was a knock on her door and Joey moved over and swung it open to reveal both Jen and Andie, ready and primped as well. Jen grinned and Andie squealed as they saw Joey. "You look GREAT!" Andie jumped into the room.
"Thanks," Joey smiled modestly.
"Careful Andie," Jen warned, "You don't want to mess up your dress before your date arrives."
"It's only Dawson," Andie shrugged, "But who knows, maybe I'll steal his heart." Joey smiled at Andie. She had already known Andie and Dawson were going to the wedding together. She didn't mind really.
"Where's Madison?" Joey enquired.
"Right here," Grams joined them wearing a grey suit and holding Madison who was dressed in a pretty pink sundress with pink shoes and white frilly socks, her blonde hair hung right above her shoulders.
"She's adorable," Andie cooed kissing Madison and then wiping the lipstick off her forehead.
"I just hope she won't make a mess out of herself before I get some decent photos," Grams sighed handing the two year old to Jen.
"Mess! Mess!" Madison giggled, "Momma mess!" Her small, delicate hands reached for Jen's hair.
"Good morning ladies," A new, manly voice joined the group. All the girls turned to see their intruder and Madison quickly pulled her hands away from Jen and reach towards the well-dressed Pacey Witter.
"Pace! Mess Pacey!" the girl now cried, "Mess! I want mess!"
"You'll get a mess soon enough," Pacey chuckled and turned to Jen, "She cleans up well though, as do you Jen. It's a shame that you don't have a date, just means that you can pick up more men though. As I'm sure you will. And Andie you beautiful, as usual, you'll blow Dawson away." Joey noticed Andie blush furiously at the comment by Pacey. Now, he turned to Joey, "And Ms. Potter, you're ravishing." Surprisingly, Joey felt herself melt at his comment.
"You clean up pretty good too Pacey," Joey pulled together, "You're always extraordinarily early."
"As he should be," Doug Witter and Jack McPhee entered the room now.
"Well, as much as I love everyone crowding in my room," Joey stated, "Let's move outside." Pacey held out his elbow and Joey accepted, following her friends outside where Dawson Leery approached.
"Wow, all our men on time," Jen mused kissing Dawson hello before he joined Andie.
"Well, I can't very well be late can I?" Dawson pointed out, "It is, after all, my mother's wedding. Andie, you look beautiful." Andie smiled at the compliment.
"So, shall we head to the church?" Joey wondered from Pacey's side, avoiding looking at Dawson's expression. The others nodded enthusiastically as they split up. Jack, Doug and Jen into Doug's car, and Andie and Dawson into Dawson's car but Pacey held Joey back before she slid into his own car. "What is it?" Joey asked.
"I just wanted to say that you really do look amazing," Pacey said, staring into her eyes, "And that seeing as this might be our last date together let's make it worth while."
Joey stared at Pacey. His words rang through her head. They were full of love and not one singly syllable were forcing her to choose him, pleading her. Joey realized then that Pacey no longer wanted to fight and try to convince her it was him she wanted, he just wanted her to be happy no matter what that meant for him. A smile spread across her face. "Pace, let's just have a good time no matter," Joey suggested, "Let's just forget about the past and just pretend we're completely different people and have a good time." Pacey nodded and opened the passenger's door for Joey to slide in before he too got into the car and drove to the church where Gale Leery was to be married to Thomas Marks in a short while. Joey feeling all the more ready to actually have a good time with Pacey and forget her problems.
Deep down though she knew she would have to choose soon.
A/N: Yay! You get to read my babble a little longer. First off I'm giving all credit of the sapphire ring, which Pacey has, to LaneWolf who used the same idea in her story SunriseSunset (which is an amazing story). Thank you Lane for letting me use it in this story. Well, looks like I'm not finishing before tonight's finale so I'm hoping that you'll continue to read as I manipulate the finale to make it my own. (BTW. I might be using some things that happen tonight in the next few chapters....so...we'll see.) Please review and tell me what you think!
